Valve for musical instruments



June 4, 1957 z. A. MEREDITH VALVE FOR MUSICAL. INSTRUMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet l File d Oct. 2. 1953 I N VENTOE'.

2 ALBERT MEREDITH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z( ATTORNEx f mm R Q Q wn A R. Q worm: U .wv mm MN M/ m B wvlQN M W rhw N m w mm 7 m QM... mwmw km E NW M g m n xm a. Wm u. MW m N s\ m mm 9 mm EE/w; w vv mm mm mm 3 v Q mm ww a mm m mm I mu mm m w MN \IH m N g m n {v m wm June 4, 1957 2. A. MEREDITH VALVE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 4 Sheets-Shea 3 Filed Oct. 2, 1953- INVENTORY q m w m A T n E" w y H Z June 4, 1957 z. A. MEREDITH VALVE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4

Filed Oct. 2, 1953 I INVENTOR Z HLBEKT flERL-D/TH TTORNQY.

United States Pa F 2,794,358 VALVE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Z. Albert Meredith, Long Beach, Calif., assignor to Donald M. Heaston and George D. Heaston, both of Long Beach, Calif.

Application October 2, 1953, Serial No. 383,776

11 Claims. (Cl. 84388) This invention relates to a new and usefulvalve mechanism for horn type musical instruments, usually referred to as brasses, such as cornets, trumpets, French horns, and similar musical instruments.

This invention relates to a finger-operated valve n echanism for cornets or like instruments in which the valve mechanism'reduces the amount of travel of the valve key when it is depressed by the 'players fingers to produce the musical effect desired.

This invention, by reducing the distance of travel of the valve stem, also decreases the amount which the fingers of the player is flexed for each depression of the instrument keys, thus producing a less tiring effect on the hands of the player.

I have devised a rotary valve mechanism for such instruments.

It is an object of this invention to transform a short reciprocating motion of the valve stem into a rotary motion.

In instruments of the above type which use 'a cylindrical reciprocating valve provided with spaced-apart ports, the distance traveled by the valve stem is equivalent to the distance between the center of the ports.

In the valve mechanism of my invention, employing a rotary type valve, I employ a valve actuating mechanism operated'by a stem reciprocated by means of the players fingers, in which the travel of the valve stem functions to rotate a cylindrical valve. The valve contains ports which act to connect the proper tubular portions of the instrument. The angle through which the cylindrical valve travels in making the proper connection of the various horn sections is but a fraction of the 360 of the valve circumference, and, because of the multiplying eifect of the valve actuating mechanism, requires but a small vertical travel of the finger actuated stem which is connected for rotation of the rotary valve.

The valve stem, after it is depressed by the players fingers, is caused to return, through the action of a compression spring, to its original position as the players fingers release the pressure on the valve stem.

Another object of my invention is to obtain a reduction in the energy required to compress the spring which returns the valve to its normal position after it has been depressed. This is accomplished because of the distance through which the valve stem travels and the distance through which the spring is compressed as compared with the conventional valve mechanism.

This invention, by reducing the amount of the flexing of the fingers and by reducing the amount of energy required to depress the keys, allows the player to increase the speed at which the keys can be actuated.

This invention will be further described by reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view taken from the valve side of the instrument;

Fig. 1a is a view with parts broken away illustrating the position of the valves as shown in Figs. 8a and 9a;

of the instrument.

2,794,358 Patented June 4, 1957 Fig. 2 is'a top view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View in section of the instrument valve mechanism;

Fig. 4 is aview in section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view partly in section taken on the lineG-fi of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6a is a View similar to Fig. 6 partly in section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in section taken on line 77 of Fig. 1 with parts broken away;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 with parts broken away for clarity;

Fig. 8a is a View partly in section similar to Fig. 8 taken on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9--9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9a is a'view similar to Fig. 9 taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. '10 shows a section through a modification of the valve.

As in any of the conventional cornets or instruments of a similar type, the desired notes are obtained by the air'entering from the mouthpiece directly to pass through a longer or shorter distance through the selected tubes, the length of travel of the air through the selected tubes being governed by the player by actuation of the valves The actuation of any of the keys of the valves by the positioning of the valve ports controls the entrance of the air to the tubes through which the air is to pass by way of the longer or the shorter tube length. The tube lengths and form are the same as in any of the conventional type of brass wind instruments now in use.

In the valve mechanism of my invention the keys are actuated to obtain the desired note the same as they are in the conventional valve type cornet or similar instrument. Thus the depression of or the release of the valve stem key is the determining factor which controls the travel of the air through the different tubes of the instrument to produce the desired notes. The notes are obtained by causing the air to travel through various combinations of valve port positions which govern the routing of the air through the diflerent tubes. In the drawings, I show the application of the valve of my invention to a comet, but it will be understood that it is also applicable to other types of brasses, since, as shown, all valves are of the same construction. To illustrate the construction and functioning of the valves of my invention, I shall describe the passage of air from one position of the valves and keys. The functioning of the valves and keys for other positions to give the various notes will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description herein given.

As illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the air enters through the mouthpiece 6 located on the end of the tube 1 with the valve key 2' down (see Fig. l) and valve keys 1 and 3' up. The air from the tube 1 enters via housing port 5a into the valve port2 in the rotary valve 3. The air then passes through the tube 4 to the housing port 4a which leads to the valve port 5 and through the port 5 in the same rotary valve 3 from which it enters the housing port 6a. The air then passes through the tube 7 to the housing port 7a and into the port 9 in the rotary valve 10, equivalent to port 5 of valve 3 (see Fig. 9). The air then passes to and through the housing port 9a of the valve housing and then through the tube 11 to the housing port 10a. It then enters the port 12 in the valve' 10 and through the housing port 11a (see Fig. 8). The air then passes into tube 14, through thetube to the housing port 12a from whence it enters the port 15 in the rotary ice . w I V 3 valve 16 (see Fig. 8). The air then passes through the housing port 13a into the tube 17 which leads to the housing port 14a (Fig. 9) from which it enters the valve port 18 of the same valve 16, the air traveling through the port 18 from the tube 17 (see Fig. 9) leaving by the housing port 15a. From this port the air enters the tube 20 leading to the bell mouth 21 of the instrument, thus producing the desired note.

The valve and tube system illustrated are functionally the same as in the conventional form of reciprocating valve instrument in which the air can be caused to pass or to by-pass over a predetermined route.

Illustrating one of the reverse positions of the valves, with the valves 1' and 3 down and the valve 2' up (see Fig. la) the air route is changed by by-passin the air in valve 3 to pass through the long tube 22 instead of the short tube 4. To provide this route the air enters the housing port 5a and passes through the valve port 2 in the valve 3, entering the housing port 1a leading to the tube 22, the other end of which i connected to the housing port 3a leading into the port 5 in the same valve 3. The air leaving valve port 5 passes through the valve housing port 6a to enter the tube 7 leading to the housing port 7a, opening into the port 9 in the valve 10 after leaving the port 9 and passing through the housing port 18a to enter the tube 7' leading to the housing port 16a which opens into the valve port 12 in the valve 10, from which the air passes through the housing port 11a to enter the tube 14 which leads to the housing port 12a. The air then enters the valve port 15 in the valve 16 to leave by the housing port 19a, entering the tube 23 (which is a long loop) to pass through the housing port 17a into the port 18 in the same valve 16 to leave by the housing port 15a to enter the tube 20 integral with the horn section 19 opening into the bell mouth 21.

It will be observed that the ports 2, 5, 9, 12, 15, and 18 are all curved so that in passing through the valve ports no substantial obstruction is presented and the pressure drop through the valve is minimized.

It will be seen (see Figs. 3, 5, 8, 9, 8a, and 9a) that in each valve housing there are three equally spaced circumferentially disposed ports near one end of the valve housing and also three equally spaced circumferentially disposed ports near the other end of the valve housing. Each valve body has two ports placed side by side longitudinally of the valve body, one registering with the ports near one end of the valve housing and the other valve body port registering with the ports at the other end of the valve housing. It will be seen that the ports in the valve body, i. e., the valve ports connect to any two of the housing ports and that at all positions wherein one of the valve ports connects to the two of the housing ports at one end of the housing the other valve port will connect two of the housing ports at the other end of the housing. Thus, in every position of the valves where valve ports are in registry with the housing ports there is a continuous air passage through the valves and through the intercommunicating tubular sections. All valve ports are thus active. 7

The mechanism I utilize to obtain the desired notes and tones is by means of a rotary valve of which three are illustrated, one of which will be described as each is a duplicate of the other. This mechanism comprises a valve stem 21 to which one of the caps 1, 2 or 3 are attached (see Figs. 3, 4). The valve stem passes through the bore 22' in the cap 22 of the valve stem housing 23 and through the cushioning collar 23' against which the stop flange 25 of the valve stem 21 rests when the valve stem is in its up position. The valve stem is raised by the expansion spring 26 located between the flange 25 on the valve stem 21, and the cup-shaped member 27 through which the valve stem 21 passes by means of a central bore (see Figs. 3 and 4). The member 27 isnested within the stem housing 23 with its position located by the internal head 28 on the interior of the stem housing 23.

The valve stem 21 is formed with a bend (see Fig. 4) at 29 and is again bent at 90 at 30. After a short distance it is again formed with a 90 bend at 31, and the valve stem is again bent at 32 to align the continuation 33 of the valve stem with the upper portion 21. The lower end of the valve stem passes through a central bore in the lower cup-shaped member 27 and is thus guided above and below the drum 37. The vertical travel of the stem is thus assured.

The clamp 34 attached to both of the spaced apart ofiset portions of the valve stem are drilled for the screws 35 which clamp the ends of the string belt 36 which is wound, i. e., looped around, the drum 37 and is made fast to the drum by the clamp 38. The drum 37 is smaller in diameter than the cylindrical rotary valve body 3 located on the same shaft 39 axially connected to the valve body 3 (see Fig. 3) which is larger in diameter than the drum 37. Thus, the peripheral length of the circumference of the valve body 3 is proportionately greater than the circumference of the drum 37. The rotary valve body fits snugly with a ring slip fit so that when lightly lubricated no air by-passes between the surfaces of the rotary valve body and the outer valve housing.

The screw and clamping washer 38 provide an adjusting means by which the relationship of the valve 3 to the cord belt drum 37 may be adjusted to obtain the registering of the valve port openings with the tube port openings in the valve housing 41 (see Figs. 6 and 6a).

An opening 47 is provided in the valve stem housing 23 extending longitudinally and circumferentially sufficiently to permit the drum 37 and set screw 35 to be inserted. The opening 47 is covered by a sliding cover 48 which covers the port and is held frictionally on the housing 23.

The valve 3 is connected to the end shafts 39. They may be made integral therewith if the valve body is formed from a solid cored piece or otherwise connected.

Instead of forming the valve from a solid piece as above, I may form the valve from a tubular member 50, as shown in Fig. 10. In that case I bore the tube and solder curved tubes 49 (see Fig. 10) in place to form ports equivalent to the ports 2, 5, 9, 12, 15, and 13. The shafts 39 may then be mounted at the ends of the tube 59 in any desired manner to give a construction which will function in the same way as valve 3. Thus the tube 50 may be closed by end caps to which the shafts 39 are connected.

The drum 37 is made fast on the rotating valve shaft 39 by the pin 37 as is the rotary valve body 3 by the set screw 16. The shaft 39 is supported in the healing lug 42 on the interior of the stem housing 23 and in the plug 43 located in the outer end of the valve sleeve 41. The plug 43 is retained in place by the cup-shaped spring washer 44 which abuts the valve housing sleeve cap 45 which is attached to the outer end of the valve housing sleeve 41 by means of the thread 46. Opening into the valve housing sleeve 41 and attached thereto are the various tubes connecting the tube openings, as they are in any conventional form of this type of instrument which uses the reciprocating type of valve.

To assemble the valve, the top closure 22 is off and the bottom closure 50 is removed and the cup 27 inserted through the bottom opening. The stem 21 and cup 27 together with parts assembled thereon are introduced as one assembly. The cups are located by the beads 28 and 28'. The end 33 of the stem is introduced into the cup 27 with the cup 39, washer 44, and plug 43 removed. The valve 3 is then inserted and registered to the position it will take when the key is in its up position. The drum 37 is inserted through the door through the port 47 and the set screw 35 is entered into the tapped hole 49. The set screw is secured to clamp the belt. The ends of the belt are connected to the clamps. The opening 47 is of suflicient size to permit these manipulations. The end closure 22 in key 21 is screwed onto the housing and so is the cap 50. The plug, washer, and cap are placed over the end shaft 39. The valve is held in position by soldering the tubular system to the ports of the housing sleeve 41. The plates 51 in which the valve housing is mounted need not be connected to the housing or tubes, since they may act merely as covers to enclose the port connecting tubes.

The above construction permits of the required rotation of the valve to accomplish a tonal adjustment with a minimum travel of the'stem 21. For purposes of illustration and not as limiting my invention, I may point out that whereas in a brass instrument using conventional reciprocating valves it requires a vertical travel of fiveeighths of an inch to cause an adjustment of the valve, for example, from a tubular connection similar to that described for Figs. 8 and 9 to that described for Figs. 8a and 9a, employing the valves described above, to reduce the travel of the stem to but eleven-thirty-seconds of an inch of vertical travel. By proper selection of size and proportioning of the diameter of the drum 37 and the diameter of the valve 3, and proper angular positioning of the ports of the valve, I may so design the valve as to control the length of the travel of the stem for the above purpose to be greater than or less than the above given travel.

While I have described a particular embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that various modifications and adaptations thereof may be made within the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tubular brass musical instrument, comprising an elongated tubular system, a belled horn at one end of said system, :a mouthpiece at the other end of said system, a plurality of by-pass tubular sections, a valve in said tubular system, said valve comprising a valve housing, a rotary valve in said valve housing, first and second ports insaid housing, one end of one of said by-pass sections connected to said first port in said housing, the other end of said by-pass sections connected to the second of said ports, a third port in said'housing, a fourth port in said housing, a fifth port in said housing, and a sixth port in said housing, one end of a second by-pass connection connected to'the third port and the other end of said second by-pass connection connected to the fourth port, an inlet pipe connected to the fifth port and an outlet pipe connected to thesixth port, a finger key for said brass instrument, a stem connected to said finger key, a resilient mounting for said key, a motion transmitting connection between said stem and said rotary valve, a pair of ports in said rotary valve, one of said ports in said rotary valve, at one position of said key, connecting one end of the first-mentioned by-pass to said inlet pipe and the second of said ports in said rotary valve connecting the other end of said first-mentioned by-pass to the said outlet pipe, said ports, on movement of said key, connecting the said inlet pipe to one end of the said second by-prass, and the second of said ports connecting the other end of said second by-pass to said outlet pipe.

2. A tubular brass musical instrument, comprising an elongated tubular system, a belled horn at one end of said system, a mouthpiece at the other end of said system, a plurality of by-pass tubular sections, a valve in said tubular system, said valve comprising a valve housing, a rotary valve in said valve housing, first and second ports in said housing, one end of one of said by-pass sections connected to said first port in said housing, the other end of said by-pass sections connected to the second of said ports, a third port in said housing, said first, second, and third ports being circumferentially spaced about one end of said housing, a fourth port in said housing, a fifth port in said-housing, and a sixth port in said housing, said fourth, fifth, and sixth ports being circumferentially spaced about the other end of said housing, one end of a second by-pass connection connected to the third port land the other end of said second by-pass connection connected to the fourth port, an inlet pipe connected to the fifth port and an outlet pipe connected to the sixth port, a rotary valve body in said housing, two valve ports in said valve body, one of the ports in registry with the ports at one end of said housing and the other of said valve ports in registry with the ports at the other end of said valve housing, a finger key for said brass instrument, a stem connected to said finger key, a resilient mounting for said key, a motion transmitting connection between said stem and said rotary valve, one of said ports in said rotary valve, at one position of said key, connecting one end of the first-mentioned by-pass to said inlet pipe and the second or said ports in said rotary valve connecting the other end of said first-mentioned by-pass to the said outlet pipe, said ports, on movement of said key, connecting the said inlet pipe to one end of the said second by-pass, the second of said ports connecting the other end of said second by-pass to said outlet pipe, a tubular connection between the second-named port in said housing and the fourth-named port in said housing, and a tubular connection between the first port in said housing and the third-named port in said housing.

3. A tubular brass musical instrument, comprising an elongated tubular system, a belled horn at one end of said system, a mouthpiece at the other end of said system, a plurality of valves in said tubular system, each of said valves comprising a valve housing, a rotary valve body in said valve housing, first and second ports in said housing, a plurality of bypass horn sections connected to each valve, one end of one of said by-pass sections connected to said first port in said housings, the other of said bypass sections connected to the second of said ports in said housings, a third port in each of said housings, said first, second, and third ports being circumferentially spaced about one end of said housing, a fourth port in each of said housings, a fifth port in each of said housings, and a sixth port in each of said housings, the fourth, fifth, and sixth ports being spaced circumferentially at the other end of said housing, one end of a second by-pass connection to each of said valve housings connected to the third port of each of said valve housings and the other end of each of said second by-pass connections connected to the fourth port of each of said valve housings, a tubular inlet pipe connected to the fifth port of each of said housings and a tubular outlet pipe connected to the sixth port of each of said housings, cross connections between the inlet and outlet tube of said valve housings, a finger key for each valve, a stem connected to each of said finger keys, a resilient mounting for each of said keys, a motion transmitting connection between each stem and each rotary valve, a pair of ports in each of said rotary valve bodies spaced longitudinally of said valve bodies, one of said ports in each of said rotary valves connecting one end of the first mentioned by-pass connected to each valve with the inlet tube and the second of said ports in each of said rotary valves connecting the other end of said first-mentioned by-pass to the said outlet pipe of.

each of said valve housings, said last-named ports, on movement of said keys, connecting the said inlet pipe of each valve housing to one end of the second by-pass connected to each housing, and the second of said ports in each valve connecting the other end of said second bypass to said outlet pipe of each housing.

4. A tubular brass musical instrument, comprising an elongated tubular system, a belled horn at one end of said system, a mouthpiece at the other end of said system, a plurality of valves in said tubular system, each of said valves comprising a valve housing, a rotary valve body in said valve housing, first and second ports in said housing, a plurality of by-p-ass horn sections connected to each valve, one end of one of said by-pass sections connected to said first port in said housings, the other of said by-pass sections connected to the second of said ports in said housings, a third port in each of said housings, said first,

second, and third ports being circumferentially spaced about one end of said housing, a fourth port in each of said housings, a fifth port in each of said housings, and a sixth port in each of said housings, the fourth, fifth, and sixth ports being spaced circumferentially at the other end of said housing, one end of a second by-pass connection to each of said valve housings connected to the third port of each of said valve housings and the other end of each of said second by-pass connections connected to the fourth port of each of said valve housings, a tubular inlet pipe connected to the fifth port of each of said housings and a tubular outlet pipe connected to the sixth port of each of said housings, cross connections between the inlet and outlet tube of said valve housings, a finger key for each valve, a stem connected to each of said finger keys, a resilient mounting for each of said keys, a motion transmitting connection between each stern and each rotary valve, a pair of ports in each of said rotary valve bodies spaced longitudinally of said valve bodies, one of said ports in each of said rotary valves connecting one end of the first mentioned by-pass connected to each valve with the inlet tube and the second of said ports in each of said rotary valves connecting the other end of said first mentioned by-pass to the said outlet pipe of each of said valve housings, said last-named ports, on movement of said keys, connecting the said inlet pipe of each valve housing to one end of the second by-pass connected to each housing, the second of said ports in each valve connecting the other end of said second bypass to said outlet pipe of each housing, a tubular connection between the second-named port in said housing and the fourth-named port in said housing, and a tubular connection between the first port in said housing and the third-named port in said housing.

5. A rotary valve for a tubular brass musical instrument, comprising a belled horn, said valve comprising a valve housing, a rotary valve in said valve housing, first and second ports in said housing, a third port in said housing, a fourth port in said housing, a fifth port in said housing, and a sixth port in said housing, a finger key for said brass instrument, a stem connected to said finger key, a resilient mounting for said key, a motion transmitting connection between said stem and said rotary valve, a pair of ports in said rotary valve, said ports in said valve connecting said ports in said housing on one position of said key, the second port in said housing with the fifth port in said housing, and to connect the fourth port in said housing with the sixth port in said housing, said ports in said valve, on movement of said key, connecting the first port in said housing with the fifth port in said housing and connects the third port with the sixth housing.

6. A rotary valve for a tubular brass musical instrument, comprising a belled horn, said valve comprising a,

cylindrical valve housing, a cylindrical rotary valve in said valve housing, a shaft connected to said rotary valve, first and second ports in said housing, a third port in said housing, a fourth port in said housing, a fifth port in said housing, and a sixth port in said housing, a finger key for said brass instrument, a stem connected to said finger key, a resilient mounting for said key, a cord looped about said shaft, the ends of said cord connected to spaced points on said stem, a pair of ports in said rotary valve, said ports in said valve, on one position of said key, connecting the second port in said housing with the fifth port in said housing and connecting the fourth port in said housing with the sixth port in said housing, said ports in said valve, on movement of said key, connecting the first portin said housing with the fifth port in said housing, and connecting the third port with the sixth port in said housing.

7. A rotary valve for a tubular b'rass'musical instrument, comprising a belled horn, said valve comprising a cylindrical valve housing, a cylindrical rotary valve in said valve housing, a shaft connected to said rotary valve,

port in said a drum on said shaft, first and second ports in said housing, a third port in said housing, a fourth port in said housing, a fifth port in said housing, and a sixth port in said housing, a finger key for said brass instrument, a stern connected to said finger key, a resilient mounting for sm'd key, a cord looped about said drum, a clamp on said drum for said cord, the ends of said cord connected to spaced points on said stem, a pair of ports in said rotary valve, said ports in said valve, on one position of said key, connecting the second port in said housing with the fifth port in said housing and connecting the fourth port in said housing with the sixth port in said housing, said ports in said valve, on movement of said key, connecting the first port in said housing with the fifth port in said housing, and connecting the third port with the sixth port in said housing.

8. A tubular brass musical instrument, comprising an elongated tubular system, a belled horn at one end of said system, a mouthpiece at the other end of said system, a rotary valve interposed in said system, reciprocating mechanism for revolving said rotary valve, comprising a depressible stem, a housing for said stem, positionreturn means associated with said stern, a rotary valve body, a plurality of ports in said valve, a housing for said rotary valve, a plurality of ports in said rotary valve, a shaft connected to said rotary valve body, said Valve body being positioned for rotation with said shaft, said stem extending on both sides of said shaft and a guide means for said shaft positioned on one side of said shaft and a second guide means positioned on the other side of said shaft, and motion transmitting means connected to said shaft and to said stem to rotate said shaft and body on reciprocation of said stem.

9. In the tubular brass musical instrument of claim 8 a stop means on said stem to limit the travel of said stem.

10. A tubular musical instrument comprising a tubular system, an air inlet mouthpiece and an air outlet to said tubular system, a plurality of adjacent valves in said system positioned between said air-inlet and said air outlet, each of said valves comprising a valve housing, three circumferentially placed ports at one end of said valve housing and three circumferentially placed ports at the other end of said housing, a rotary valve body in said housing, a pair of valve ports in said valve body spaced from each other longitudinally of said body, one of said valveports positioned in registry with the three ports at one end of said housing and the other of said valve ports in registry at the ports at the other end of said housing, tubular connections exterior of the valve housing connecting two of the ports at one end of said valve housing and two of the ports at the other end of said valve housing, tubular connection between the ports of adjacent valve housing in said tubular system, a reciprocable stem for said brass instrument and a motion-transmitting means for rotation of said valve upon reciprocation of said stem, said air inlet and said air outlet being in communication through all of said valve ports at all positions of said valve ports in registry with said housing ports.

11. A tubular musical instrument comprising a tubular system, an air inlet mouthpiece and an air outlet to said tubular system, three adjacent valves in said system positioned between said air inlet and said air outlet, each of said valves comprising a valve housing,'three circumferentially placed ports at one end of said valve housing and three circumferentially placed ports at the other end of said housing, a rotary valve body in said housing, a pair of valve ports in said valve body spaced from each other longitudinally of said body, one of said valve ports positioned in registry with the three ports at one end of said housing and the other of said valve ports in registry at the ports at the other end of said housing, tubular by-pass connections exterior of the valve housing connecting one of the ports at one end of the first one of said valve housings and one of the ports at the other end of the first valve housing, a second tubular by-pass connection exterior of said housing connecting one of the ports at one end of the third one of said valve housings and one of the ports at the other end of said third valve housing, tubular connections exterior of said valve housing between one of ports of each of the three adjacent valve housing, said air inlet connecting to one of the ports on the first one of said valve housing, and said air outlet connecting to one of the end ports of the third one of said valve housing, and tubular connection exterior of said valve housings between the remaining ports on each valve housing, a reciprocable stem for said brass instrument and a motion-transmitting means for rotation of said valve upon reciprocation of said stern, said air inlet and said air outlet being in communication through 10 all of said valve ports at all positions of said valve ports in registry with said housing ports.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,106,281 Sattler Jan. 25, 1938 2,211,770 Einhorn Aug. 20, 1940 2,284,016 Pickering May 26, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 531,855 France Nov. 2, 1921 994,209 France Nov. 14, 1951 

